Pollution control

ABSTRACT

Environment pollutants are treated by bringing them into contact with polyvinylpyrrolidone. Preferably, this substance is in a composition with a carrier material, preferably vermiculite. The composition may contain a nitrate of sulphate of copper or silver. Desirably, the composition is in the form of a selfsupporting plaque which can form part of a pollution-controlling device. A preferred use of the invention is in treating gases resulting from the combustion of fuel containing pollutants. Devices are disclosed in which exhaust gases go through a passage in which they contact successive baffle members surfaced with pollutant-arresting material.

United States Patent Evanshen 1 1 Sept. 11, 1973 [5 POLLUTION CONTROL3,383,854 5 1968 White 55 1310. 30 3,477,826 11 1969 M 1-1. 55 DIG. 30[75] Inventor: g fvanshen Momma" Quebec 3,678,657 7/1972 55/1310. 24

ana a OTHER PUBLICATIONS [73] Ass1gnee: Teep TOXIC Control Ltd.,Montreal, I I

Quebec, Canada The Condensed Chem1cal Dictlonary, Sixth Edition,Reinhold Pub. Co., N.Y., (1961), Q 5, C5 1961 C15, [22] Filed: Dec. 4,1970 922 [21] Appl. No.: 95,016

Primary Examiner-Frank W. Lutter A z t E Vin t G'fford 52 U.S. c1 55/74,55/97, 55/387, iflisg fig" z 55/522, 55/DIG. 30, 60/311, 423/213 [51]Int. Cl 13010 53/04 [58] Field of Search 55/74, 97, 387, 524, [571ABSTRACT 55/DlG. 30, DIG. 33, DIG. 24, 522; 23/2 S, 2 Environmentpollutants are treated by bringing them E; 60/300-302, 31 I; 423/2I2-2I3 into contact with polyvinylpyrrolidone. Preferably, this substance isin a composition with a carrier material, [56] References Citedpreferably vermiculite. The composition may contain a UNITED STATESPATENTS nitrate of sulphate of copper or silver. Desirably, the1,422,211 7 1922 Lamb 55/DIG. 33 composmo" is the form of a semsuppomngPlaque "559.930 H925 perm at SSIDICL 33 which can form part of apollution-controlling device. 1,843,999 2 1932 White 55 010. 30 APreferred use of the iflvsmion is in "eating gases 2,071,119 2/1937Harger 55/D1G, 30 sulting from the combustion of fuel containing pollut-2,122,514 7/1938 Crockcr 55/524 ants. Devices are disclosed in whichexhaust gases go 2,l97,004 4/1940 Myers SS/DIG. 24 through a passage in{hay ontact successive baf. 25794984 12/1951 Trowbndge- 55/DIG- 24 flemembers surfaced with pollutant-arresting material. 2,751,039 6/1956Hanly 55/524 3,162,516 12/1964 Dwyer 55/DlG. 30 6 Claims, 8 DrawingFigures /0 cz Z R /1 a a Z/a Pmemmsim 3.757. 489

sum 1 0F 2 FIG. 2

FIG. 3

INVENTOR John EVANSHEN A TTORNEY 1 POLLUTION CONTROL This inventionrelates to the treatment of environment pollutants.

More particularly, it concerns the treatment of hot exhaust gases, forexample, gases from all types of internal combustion engines,smokestacks from buildings, or any hot exhaust emitting device, toprevent or substantially reduce the introduction of pollutants into theatmosphere.

A main object of the invention is to provide for treating pollutantscontained in hot exhaust gases, to reduce their emission into theatmosphere, to form smog, reduce visibility, damage vegetation, orpresent health hazards.

A more specific object is to provide a method for treating the fumes ofexhaust gases of motor vehicles to reduce the emission of atmosphericpollutants and smog-forming substances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Having regard to the foregoing, the treatmentof the invention employs, as treating agent, polyvinylpyrrolidone, withwhich the environment pollutant is brought into contact. Preferably, thepolyvinylpyrrolidone is employed in the form of a composition along witha carrier substance, desirably vermiculite.

The treating composition is, preferably, in the form of a solid mass,for example a plaqueor biscuit. In the case of polyvinylpyrrolidone andvermiculite, the latter is present in an amount from about 5 percent toabout 10 percent based on the total weight of the composition. Thetreating substance or substances may be supplemented by a material whichfurther enhances the decontaminating action,.for example, the nitrate orsulphate of copper or silver.

A preferred composition according to the invention is made by'intimatelymixing the vermiculite and polyvinylpyrrolidone in powder form, puttingthe mixture into a condition for making treating elements, andsubjecting the mixture to the influence of oxygen, preferably in theform of air, so as to convert it to a solid mass. The mass can be madein various thicknesses, sizes and shapes, and subsequently made intoplaques or other convenient forms for use as treating elements.

The invention also contemplates an apparatus of which the composition ofthe invention forms a part. For example, in such an apparatus treatingelements, according to the invention, are suitably enclosed in a housingwithin which exhaust gases are forced into contact with them. This maybe an elongated housing, forming a gas passage, and having inlet andoutlet ends provided with an inlet and outlet respectively. There issupport means in the housing and a succession of baffle means, surfacedwith the pollution-arresting composition, are mounted on the supportmeans, with bypasses to cause the gas to follow a circuitous paththrough the housing, while impinging on one baffle after the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described theinvention, it will be referred to in more detail, by reference to theaccompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a typical motor vehicle exhaust filteraccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross section along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section partially in elevation along the line4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of an alternative form of motor vehicleexhaust filter according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross section along the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section along the line 9-9 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross section similar to FIG. 7 with the coverremoved and the filter element partly removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawing illustrates a motorvehicle, pollution control filter device mountable on the vehicle toreceive exhaust gas from the engine. The device comprises a casing R,(in this instance cylindrical), inlet and outlet header plates 10a and24a carrying an exhaust gas inlet pipe 10 and an exhaust gas outlet pipe24 respectively. Replaceable elements 2, 6 and 9 in the form of plaquesof pollution-arresting composition, preferably as described herein, areremovably held in place on supporting plates 12, 14 and 16 mounted on amounting tube 19 extending lengthwise of the casing R and carried on arod 19a having threaded ends 19b and carrying nuts 19d and 19e bearingagainst the header plates 10a and 240 respectively.

The baffle plates 12, 14 and 16 are specially shaped to hold theplaques, and at the same time, to provide for passage of the gasesthrough the casing R. Take the plaque 12 for example. It hasa flat bodyand a central hub 12d engaging the tube 19 on which it is set by asetscrew 12b. The plate 12 is made from a circular sheet bent to provideopposed flanges 12 and 12a and thus to leave openings 16a and 16bbetween the plate 12 and its edge abuts the flanges 12a and 12b. Theplates 14 and 16 have similar parts and are similarly lettered. Thecentral plate 14 is oriented so that its flanges are perpendicular tothose of the plates 12 and 16 so that the gases passing through theopenings 16a, b, 20a, b, and 21a, b, follow a circuitous path, frominletto outlet, and in so doing are caused to impinge on the elements12, 14 and 16.

The filter is easily assembled and dissembled, by reason of thisconstruction, the header plates being demountable by removing the nuts19d and 19a and the plates 12, 14 and 16 removable from the tube byloosening the set screws and sliding them off. The plaques can thus beeasily replaced when they become overloaded with impurities.

The unit functions so that hot exhaust gases entering the inlet pipe 10impinge on the element 2, the gases then pass through openings 16a, 16b,impinge on the element 6, pass through the opening 200 and 20b, impingeon the element 9, pass through the opening 21a and b and finally leaveby the outlet pipe 24. In passing through the filter unit, the gasesthus impinge, in turn, on the series of elements 2, 6 and 9, so that bythe time the gases reach the outlet 24 they will have been substantiallypurified because of the special properties of the treating substance toattract pollutants from which the element is made.

The area of the passages 16a, b, 20a, b, and 21a, b, must be such thatthere is free passage of exhaust gases through the device without anypressure build-up. This will be so provided that the cross-sectionalarea available for the exhaust gas to pass through inside the maincylinder is never less than that of the intake pipe.

The elements 3, 6 and 9 are plaques or biscuits made of a solidcomposition, which is an intimate mixture of vermiculite andpolyvinylpyrrolidone with the vermiculite present in an amount fromabout 4 percent to about l percent based on the total weight of thecomposition. The composition may contain from about 2 k to about percentby weight of a nitrate or sulphate of copper, platinum or silver, whichenhances the activity of the other components.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is described in G.A.F. Corporation TechnicalBulletin 7543-1 13, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference. As the Bulletin states, powders of polyvinylpyrrolidone areavailable under the names PVK-lS (having an average molecular weight of10,000), PVK-30 (having an average molecular weight of 45,000), andPVK-9O having an average molecular weight of about 350,000. Theapplicant prefers to use PVK-30."

Vet-miculite is describedas a mineral of the mica group, but hydrated,and with the property of expanding six to 20 times the volume of theunexpanded mineral when heated to about 2000F. it is a hydratedmagnesium-aluminum-iron silicate containing approximately 39% SiO 21%MgO, Alhd 9% Fe O 5-7% K 0, 1% CaO, 5-9% H 0 and small quantities of Cr,Mn, P, S, C]. The free oxides as such do not exist in the vermiculitecrystals. Platelet-type crystalline structure; high porosity; high voidvolume to surface area ratio; low density; relative chemical inertness;large range of particle size; insoluble in water and organic solvents;water vapor adosorption capacity of expanded vermiculite less than 1percent, liquid adsorption dependent on conditions and particle size,ranges 200500 percent. it comes in the grades of unexpanded (oreconcentrate), expanded (also called exfoliated); flake; activated. Theapplicant prefers to employ the unexpanded form in making thiscomposition. The particle size of the vermiculite may vary from aboutfive thousands of an inch to about one-sixteenth of an inch. Thestarting polyvinylpyrrolidone is in the form of a fine powder.

An alternative form of motor vehicle exhaust filter apparatus is shownin FIGS. 5 through 8. To facilitate reference to these figures, thedifferent parts have been identified by similar digits and tens, but thecorresponding reference numerals have been raised by 100. For example, apart in FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrated by 6 would be shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 as106. i

in the alternative form of the invention as shown in FIGS. 5 through 8,as in the previous form, there is provided a housing R], which in thiscase, is rectangular. An inlet pipe 110 is connected to one end of thehousing and an outlet pipe 124 to the other. Between the inlet andoutlet are respective filtering elements 109, 106 and 103. Eachfiltering element is each carried on a mounting plate removably relatedto the housing R1. Considering the element 106 as typical, theconstruction is as follows. To one side of the casing R1 is attached thebracket 120. Projecting from the bracket 120 is a slide 102d. Diagonallyopposite, extending inward from the other wall of the housing R1 is abracket 113 provided with a slide 1026. Having Mounted between theslides 1020 and 102d is the metal plate 105b, on which the plaque 106 ismounted and held by screws 107. The bracket 116 is provided with anopening 114a to permit passage of gases towards the next filteringelement. Having described the mounting of the element 106, that of thecompanion elements 103 and 109 will be clear. For example, the element103 is mounted on the plate 105 engaging the slides 102f and 1022 on thebrackets 118 and 112 respectively, extending from the housing R1. Theelement 109 is mounted on the plate 105b, engaging the slides 102i) and1020, mounted on the brackets 122 and 116, respectively, extending fromthe housing R1.

The device works as follows. Exhaust gas is forced into the pipe from aninternal combustion engine and first impinges on the element 109 whichbaffles it and forces it to follow a circuitous path through the opening116a. The gas then impinges on the element 106 and then through theopening 120a in the bracket 120 to impinge on the element 103 and thento pass through the opening 112a of the bracket 112, then to the outletpipe 124. The impingement of the gas on the respective filteringelements in return causes the pollutants to be extracted and remain inthe elements. The elements may be removed by sliding their mountingplates out of the slides provided for this purpose so that when loadedwith pollutant, they can be replaced by new filtering elements.

Since certain changes and modifications may be made in the aboveprocess, compositions and products, without departing from the scope ofthe invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedesc ription or shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Therefore only suchlimitations as indicated in the appended claims should be imposed.

I claim:

l. A method of treating environment pollutants, comprising, bringingpollutants contained in hot gases produced by the combustion of a fuelinto contact with a solid composition containing polyvinylpyrrolidone.

2. A method, as defined in claim 1, in which the solid compositioncontains polyvinylpyrrolidone and a carrier substance.

3. A method, as defined in claim 2, in which the carrier substance isvermiculite.

4. A method, as defined in claim 3, in which the vermiculite is presentin an amount from about 5 percent to about 10 percent by weight of thetotal composition.

5. A method, as defined in claim 1, in which the composition contains anitrate or sulphate of copper or silver.

6. A method, as defined in claim 1, in which the composition is in theform of a self-supporting plaque.

i I l l

2. A method, as defined in claim 1, in which the solid composition contains polyvinylpyrrolidone and a carrier substance.
 3. A method, as defined in claim 2, in which the carrier substance is vermiculite.
 4. A method, as defined in claim 3, in which the vermiculite is present in an amount from about 5 percent to about 10 percent by weight of the total composition.
 5. A method, as defined in claim 1, in which the composition contains a nitrate or sulphate of copper or silver.
 6. A method, as defined in claim 1, in which the composition is in the form of a self-supporting plaque. 